Leader of the Harlem Renaissance

My Brother Langston – Black Ensemble Theatre

Langston Hughes, who was originally named James (after his abusive, uncaring father), was a prolific writer. He was known for his plays, short stories, children’s books, novels and works of non-fiction. But Langston Hughes is primarily remembered for his beautiful, evocative poetry. Rueben D. Echoles, the multitalented Black Ensemble Theater member, wrote this heartfelt tribute to Hughes because he recognized the writer’s work as “powerful, revolutionary and still very relevant to this day.” In his beautifully crafted 90-minute play with music, audiences will definitely come away knowing the gifted writer known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance.

Hughes was a sensitive young man who survived a bitter childhood to become a gifted American artist. As depicted in Echoles’ play, Carrie, his mother, was courteous but not particularly loving; and his father was a tyrant and both physically and emotionally abusive. When his parents separated, Carrie persuaded her own mother to take care of young Langston. As a result, the boy was raised by his loving maternal grandmother, whom he called “Nana.” She instilled in her grandson a feeling for the arts and storytelling with a deep sense of racial pride. Upon the death of his grandma, and his mother’s second marriage, Langston went to live with his new family. There he found a loving, caring younger stepbrother, named Gwyn, who worshipped Langston and supported his writing for his entire life.

 The reason behind his parent’s heartless treatment isn’t clear, except that Carrie Hughes dreamed of her own adventures and James Hughes wanted his son to “be more of a man.” As such, he belittled Langston’s passion for writing and demanded that he earn a college degree in something useful, like engineering. In order to pursue his dreams of attending college, Langston tried to live up to his father’s ultimatum. However, the young Langston Hughes rebelled and found himself continually drifting toward artistic ventures. He became close friends with other writers, such as Countee Cullen. He idolized Cullen, as well as other notable poets, such as Walt Whitman, Robert Frost and Carl Sandburg. 

Langston Hughes primarily spent his life in New York’s Harlem, but as he traveled the world his consciousness was raised. As Langston worked all kinds of odd jobs, he continued to witness and experience racial prejudice everywhere. Hughes became a social activist and was an innovator of the literary form known as Jazz Poetry, famously writing about the period in history when Harlem was in Vogue. Today Langston Hughes is remembered as a poet, a columnist, a playwright, an essayist and a writer of both novels and non-fiction.

Typically the Black Ensemble Theater is known for its rousing music-filled biographical dramas, featuring songs made famous by a particular artist. But, while this one-act does feature nine songs, such as “Take the A-Train” and “God Bless the Child,” Rueben Echoles’ captivating play focuses on the poetry of Langston Hughes, and other writers. Chris Taylor, a gifted actor of stage and screen, absolutely embodies the heart and soul of Hughes in this production. And, instead of breaking into musical solos and production numbers, Mr. Taylor bewitches and beguiles the audience with his first person narrative, along with plenty of impassioned recitations of the writer’s most famous poems. They include “The Negro Mother,” “Dreams,” “Harlem,” “The South” and “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” among many others. Supporting Chris Taylor are ensemble members Reneisha Jenkins, De’Jah Jervai, Andre’ Teamer and Nolan Robinson, all of whom play many supporting characters and provide the musical interludes. 

This format is unusual for BET but it works beautifully. Kudos to Mr. Echoles for once again proving that he’s a true Renaissance man. His wonderful writing, direction, choreography and costumes make this production a winner. Superb projections by Dre Robinson coax Sydney Lynne’s set design to come alive. And Robert Reddrick’s excellent musical direction, supported by talented musicians Adam Sherrod, Oscar Brown Jr, Mark Miller and Myron Cherry, take this tribute to Langston Hughes to a new level of excellence. In this remarkable bio-drama, Mr. Echoles recognizes the talent of this great African American writer, while showing honor and respect for the events that shaped his life and his writing.     

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented August 13-September 18 by Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N Clark Street, Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 773-769-4451 or by going to www.blackensemble.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.